E-lites Blog

Majority of smokers are ignoring ‘Stoptober’, says survey

Only 54% of UKsmokers are aware of the ‘Stoptober’ anti-smoking campaign and less than a fifth intend to participate by quitting this month, according to a major survey commissioned by the leading electronic cigarette firm E-Lites.

The survey of 1,000 British smokers(1), conducted by OnePoll, highlighted how difficult it can be to kick the habit, with around half (47.3%) saying they had no expectation of quitting in the next 12 months.

Overall, 45% described the process of trying to give up smoking as ‘hard’ or ‘very hard’.

At the same time, more than half of the respondents said they were ‘interested’ or ‘very interested’ in using an electronic cigarette as a harm-reduction alternative to tobacco cigarettes.

Of the 18% who have tried these devices, 62% still use them on a regular basis, with ‘reduction in damage to health’ being the most popular reason.

E-Lites CEO Adrian Everett said the findings underlined the need for greater acceptance of an electronic cigarette as an alternative option that could dramatically reduce the health damage facing smokers unwilling or unable to quit conventional tobacco products.

Mr Everett said: “The Stoptober initiative will undoubtedly be a great motivation for some smokers, but we’re talking about a minority of less than one-in-five. All we are saying is that consideration should be given to ‘swapping’ as opposed to the single challenge of ‘stopping’ which, as this survey demonstrates, is immensely challenging for millions of smokers in this country.

“The survey proves that more than half of our smokers are interested in using an electronic cigarette – but less than 20% have actually had the opportunity to try them. We need to educate smokers about the options available to them and get away from this quit-or-die obsession that is unhelpful to those unwilling or unable to give up.”

A growing body of international research(2) suggests that an electronic cigarette, wh free from tar, tobacco and other toxins, provide smokers with an alternative form of nicotine inhalation that dramatically reduces health damage.

The treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which is primarily associated with smoking, is estimated to cost the NHS £800 million annually(3). And while this is being addressed via smoking cessation initiatives, the option of a ‘harm reduction’ strategy endorsing the use of the electronic cigarette could help further reduce the costs associated with COPD, according to E-Lites.

E-Lites emerged as theUK’s most recognisable brand with 30% recognition – more than double that of its nearest rival. The company’s rigorously tested and legislatively-compliant electronic cigarettes contain a pharmaceutical-grade nicotine solution that users inhale as a vapour, recreating the satisfaction of a traditional cigarette but without tobacco, tar and other toxins.